Amusement device.



R. FARRELL.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1909.

949,532. Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

111 111 Hull ll 0/ ATTORNEYS R. FARRELL. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1909.

949,53 Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S I y o L yfi l v ATTORNEYS WITNESSES 1 2 23 FREQ.

RICHARD FARRELL, OF TAPPAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO HENRY HERBERT MEAD, OF NORTH PORTAL, CANADA.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD FARRELL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Tappan, in the Province of British Columbia and Dominion of Canada, have invented a certain new and useful Amusement Device, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide an apparatus whereby is produced the illusion of floating in mid-air; and to provide a simplified construction for an apparatus designed to produce the above-mentioned desired eflect.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, the near side of the structure being partially removed to give a view of the interior thereof; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the structure shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view to. show the mounting of the rotary element of the device.

The device in some respects simulates those structures known as cycloramas. In the present instance the lower portion 4 constituting the side walls of the structure, is preferably circular in plan. This, however, may be varied to any shape to carry the illusion farther or to suit the shape of the ground upon which the structure is erected.

The side walls of the structure 4 may be formed from any suitable material and framed in any suitable manner. That most preferred by me consists in the use of sheet metal to form the walls, the sheets thereof being secured to standing timbers or framing of wood. Upon the lower structure 4 is mounted the dome 5, which is connected to the structure 1 as shown in the drawings by the covered member 6. In joining the covered member 6 to both the perpendicular walls of the lower part of the structure 4: and to the dome 5, care is taken to soften all of the junction angles.

In the upper part of the dome 5 are provided dormer extensions 7, which provide ventilating openings 8. The openings 8 are covered with any suitable gauze-like ma- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 13, 1909.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910..

Serial No. 495,621.

terial 9 adapted to carry the paint and at the same time to pass the foul air which rises to the top of the dome, for ventilation.

The interior of the structure 1 is provided with a suitable floor or platform 10, which supports a molded and stiffened covering 11 formed from a material such as canvas, papier mach, or plaster compounds. This covering 11 is given an upper surface molding to suit the design of the scene intended to be represented, and is supported on the platform 10 in any suitable manner. One feature of the arrangement of this covering is that it must be formed to allow head room or a passageway 12. This passageway 12 extends from the entrance door 13 formed in the side 1 of the structure, and opening from an entrance platform 14 provided therefor. The passageway 12 extends to the center of the structure 4, and may eX- tend straight from the entrance 13 to the center or it may be carried through many ramifications before reaching the center.

The platform 10 is cut away in the center to form a circular opening, to receive the carrying frame upon which is mounted a structure in the present instance imitating the car of a dirigible balloon or other socalled airship. The structure upon which the body of the airship is carried, consists primarily of a circular platform 15, which fits within a circular opening provided in the platform 10, suitably mounted on a framework such as shown in the drawings, the principal member of which is the central standard 16. The standard 16 is eX- tended above the platform 15 to partly support the framing of the platform 17, constituting the floor of the car of the airship. The framing for the platform 17 is further supported on studding 18, 18, arranged circularly about the platform 15. Between the platforms 15 and 17 and on the outside thereof is extended a curved covering or skin 19, to simulate the under surface of the car of the popularly imagined airship. An entrance space 20 is formed in this siding to serve as a door leading from the tunnel 12 up the stairway 21. A landing 22 is provided in the end of the tunnel 12 to mark the position of the opening 20.

The platform 15 is mounted on a circular rail 23, wherein it is guided by flanged wheels 2 1 and the weight of the structure is borne on ball bearings 25. The ball bearings 25 may be replaced by any well-known and approved roller or anti-friction bearings, it being the purpose to produce as frictionless a rotary support at this point as possible. The wheels 24 are connected by axles 26, and extended upward from the axle bearings 27 are suitable springs 28. There are three or more wheels 24 provided, and the springs 28 are arranged to yield under the variable pressures according as the weight of the passengers is adjusted. As this weight is constantly shifting, there will be imparted to the structure a simulated swing of an airship.

The balloon 29 is formed of any suitable material such as papier mach, or sheet metal, and is framed to the shape shown in the drawings. At each end thereof is provided a bearing block 30, to receive a shaft 31, which is extended through the balloon structure to protrudeat either end thereof. At either end the shaft is provided with propeller blades 32. Approximately midway of the balloon structure the shaftis provided with a sprocket wheel or pulley 33, connected by a chain or belt 34 to a driving shaft 35, located in the pilot house 36. The shaft 35 is driven by an electric motor 37 through transmission gearing consisting of a sprocket chain 38 and sprocket wheel 39.

The balloon 29 is supported in the position above the platform 17 by means of rods 40, which may be given the appearance of ropes or hanging chains, to further carry out the idea that the platform 17 is suspended from and carried by the balloon 29.

Around the edge of the platform 17, there is provided a rail 41, and above the rail a second rail 42, and between the two rails is extended a suitable curtain 43, which is slidably mounted on both rails. Vhen the curtains 43 are drawn the view of the landscape is obscured.

In the beginning of the performance this is usually the method of procedure. Vhile the curtains are drawn the car is moved in simulation of a rising body, and the outlook is upon a scene prepared on the surface of the covering 11 such as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. In carrying out a simulation of a Wide-spread scene within a circumscribed space wherein the illusion is produced, artistic disposition in perspective of objects in simulation of buildings, mountains, and other surface configuration are placed upon the cover 11 either by painting or by molding.

Having produced an apparatus such as the movable platform 17 with its superimposed balloon 29, and mounted the same upon the rotary bearings 25 and track 23 within the building constructed as shown in the drawings, the operation is as follows: The passengers are introduced within the building through the entrance 18, and pass along the tunnel 12 until they arrive at the station marked by the platform 22. hen in the course of its rotation the entrance 20 of the car is brought to the station 22, the passengers are admitted through the said entrance and up the stairway 21 to the platform17. The passengers having been admitted, the car is slowly rotated about its center 25, and the view which the passengers receive from the deck or platform 17 is that of a widespread and beautiful scene. If they lean over the rail 41 they look directly down upon the cover 11, which is painted and otherwise formed in simulation of the view which the passengers would receive from a balloon, and although the passengers may be looking at the cover not more than two or three feet removed, the scene is such that to all appearances they will be looking upon the tops of buildings and upon landscape hundreds of feet below. This illusion will be augmented by the slow rotation of the platform 17 and the balloon 29. XVhile the platform 17 and balloon 29 are being thus slowly rotated, the motor 37 within the wheel housing is operating to drive the propellers 32, giving the impression of action.

The bunting decorations of the balloon could be arranged to receive an air current, which would straighten them and in this manner aid in the simulation for which the apparatus is constructed.

The motive power for rotating the structure around the tracks 23 may be of any suitable character either manually or mechanically applied.

Having completed the one or more rotations of the car the passengers are permitted to alight by passing down the stairway 21 and outward through the tunnel 12 and entrance 13.

Having thus described my invent-ion, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An amusement device, comprising an inclosed scenicallydecorated structure, a passageway leading from the outside to the center of said structure, a rotatably-mounted platform arranged in imitation of an airship car and located in the center of the said structure and partly submerged within the said scenic structure and forming communication with the said passageway, a member shaped in the form of an air-ship, supported from said platform by supporting members formed in imitation of suspending members, and a suitable mechanism for rotating the said platform.

2. An amusement device, comprising an inclosed scenically-decorated structure, a passageway formed in said decorated structure and leading from the outside to the cene ter of said structure, a rotatably-mounted platform arranged in imitation of an airship car and located in the center of said structure and partly submerged within the said scenic structure and forming communication with the said passageway, a member shaped in the form of a dirigible balloon, propelling blades mounted on said balloonshaped member, a suitable mechanism for rotating said propellers located on said platform, supporting members for said balloonshaped member mounted on said platform, and formed in imitation of suspending members, and a suitable mechanism for rotating the said platform.

3. An amusement device, comprising an inclosed scenically-decorated structure, a passageway formed in said decorated structure and leading from the outside to the center of said structure, a rotatably-mounted platform arranged in imitation of an airship car and located in the center of said structure and partly submerged within the said scenic structure and forming a communication with said passageway, a suitable mounting for said platform, comprising a centrally located anti friction bearing and laterally-extended wheels, resilient supports for said platform, interposed between said platform and said laterally-extended wheels, a member shaped in the form of a dirigible balloon," propelling blades mounted on said balloon-shaped member, a suitable mechanism for rotating said propellers located on said platform, supporting members for said balloon-shaped member, mounted on said platform and formed in imitation of suspending members, and a suitable mechanism for rotating the said platform.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD FARRELL.

WVitnesses:

C. A. SHERMAN, C. H. MARSHALL. 

